The POW/MIA Empty Chair

The American Legion Harold Kerr Post # 173 has established a POW/MIA empty chair in observance at all official meetings.

Those who have served and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice.

We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures , there are others who have endured and maybe still enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation, and imprisonment.

We pause to recognize the Prisoners of War or the thousands who remain Missing in Action from recent Wars in American history.

We call attention to a small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honor, It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces are POW's or MIA

We call them Comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay humble tribute to them and to bear witness to their continued absence.

The Table Is Small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors.

The Tablecloth is white, representing the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country's call to arms.

A Single Rose in a Vase, signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith while waiting their turn.

The Red Ribbon on the Vase represents the ribbons worn on the lapels of the many American's who demand with unyielding determination a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.

A Place on the Table Contains a Slice of Lemon to remind us of their bitter fate.

Salt Sprinkled on the Plate symbolizes countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

A Glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us at this time.

The Chair is empty. They are not here.

The Candle is reminiscent of the light of hope. which lives in our hearts.

The American Flag reminds us that many of them may never return, and have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks. Let us never forget their sacrifice.